Thursday, 8 December 2011

Who Inspired the Authors of the Bible?

By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

Have you read the Bible with an open mind? Have you not discovered that not a single verse in it clearly points to God as its author? Does it explicitly say that God inspired all of its various authors?

If you are among those who believe in the Bible as "God's Book" or that He inspires its different authors, this article is for you. Through this you will discover the truth that God is not the author of the Bible. One thing you should bear in mind: nowhere in the Bible does it say that it is holy nor does it name itself as one.

THE BIBLE - THE BOOK THAT BELITTLES GOD AND GLORIFIES SATAN

If God did inspire the different authors of the Bible, why does it contain verses that belittle Him? Why does it recognise Satan as "the ruler" and even "god of this world"? If the Bible confuses you, if you do not know who is behind it; then read this paper very carefully. Analyse the following examples of the Biblical verses that belittle God and glorify satan. See if you can refute them. If you remain confused, be rational to accept the truth. Let not your emotions and pride overrule you. Accept that God is not the author of the Bible. The book itself says that God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Examples of the Biblical Verses that Belittle God

Would you agree with the Bible when it says. "The Lord is man of war; the Lord is His name" (Exodus 15:3)? Is it not a blasphemy to say that God is a man, even a man of war?

Is there man a superior than God? Why does the Bible describe God to be merely prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6); whereas, Melchizedek as the King of Peace (Hebrew 7:2)? Does not God deserve the grand title, the King of Peace?

God is not omniscient. How come the Bible portrays God's limited knowledge of His creatures? (Genesis 3:8-13; Job 1:7) Would you believe that God did not even know Satan, of where he came from? (Job 1:7).

God does not know what is right (Job 42:7-8). So, He needs to be told what is right as narrated in the Book of Job.

Does not the Bible belittle God when it says that He is the husband of a barren woman? To quote: "For your Maker is your Husband, the LORD of hosts is His name." (Isaiah 54:1,5) Is God a man that the Bible associates a partner to Him? Is he not Almighty and Self-Sufficient or the only One free of needs?

The Bible narrates instances that depict God was not omnipresent at all times (Genesis 3:8; Genesis 11:5).

God can be tempted as shown in the following verses: "Why do you tempt the Lord?" (Exodus 17:2) "You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah."(Deuteronomy 6:16).

God is not omnipotent. He is powerless to help His creatures (Judges 1:19). Would you believe that a man had robbed God (Malachi 3:8-9)? He is also weak. He "Wearied"(Isaih 43:24) and "rested" (Genesis 2:2; Exodus 24:16).

God is not the only saviour. Did not God say, "Besides me there is no saviour" (Isaiah 43:10-12)? How come the Bible mentions of "saviours" who were to judge....(Obadiah 1:21).

God made foolishness. Paul said that God made foolish the wisdom of this world and that God is pleased with the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1-20-21).

The Law of the Lord made nothing perfect: Would you believe Paul when he said that the law made nothing perfect(Hebrews 7:18-19).

God's commandments are not pure. How true that God said (or "inspired") Hosea to take a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry (Hosea 1:2)? Did he really say to Hosea to go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery (Hosea 3:1).

God repents. He was "sorry that He had made man on the Earth" (Genesis 6:6-7).

God is angry forever. Bible asks: "How long Lord will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire"(Psalm 79:5).

God is not only jealous but his name is Jealous. Did God really say that He was jealous God (Exodus 20:5)? Does not the Bible belittle God when it says that God's name is Jealous (Exodus 34:14). Is He not worthy of all praise?

God is not a rock. The Bible says, "who is a rock, except our God?" (2 Samuel 22:32) it contradicts the statement: "To whom then will you like God? Or what likeness will you compare Him?" (Isaiah 40:18).

Man blesses God (Psalm 34:1;103:1). David said, "I will bless the Lord at all times." (Psalm 34:1) Does this mean that God is dependent on man?

God is visible. There were men who had seen God(Genesis 26:2; 32:30; 35:9, Exodus 24:9-10; 33:11; Numbers 12:6-8; Job 42:5; Amos 9:1).

God's work is far from perfect. It questions man's purity, being God's creation (Job 15:14-26).

God is not oft-forgiving. He does not forgive sins of those whose hands are full of blood no matter how many prayers they make (Isaiah 1:15). What if their prayers are sincere, showing their true repentance? Would not God forgive them? If the sinners will believe in this verse, do you think they will receive admonition? Or you will expect them, being of little faith, instead to become atheists?

God is not the only judge of all mankind. The Bible says, "For the father judges no one, but has committed all judgement to the Son" (John 5:22). Even Paul claimed that he judged (1 Corinthians 5:1-3; 1 Corinthians 5:12). He also said: "We shall judge angels. How much more on things that pertain to this life?" (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).

How come the Bible talks of "the fear of the LORD" (Psalm 19:9; 111:10; Isaiah 63:17), "the foolishness and "weakness of God" (1 Corinthians 1:25) Is He not the Almighty?

God was a tribal King. He was the King of Israel(Isaiah 44:6; Micah 5:2).

If God were the King of Israel (Isaiah 44:6; Micah 5:2), then Satan must be superior to God. The Bible perceives Satan as the ruler of this world (John 14:30; 16:11).

The Bible associates partner to God. It says that Jesus is equal with God" (Philippians 2:8). It confuses Christians to believe him as "the only begotten Son of God"(John 3:16,18) and "one" in essence and in nature with God (John 14:6-7). In short, Jesus was "God"(Romans 9:5). If Jesus were God, then God was not at all almighty, omnipotent and eternal. The Bible narrates that Jesus was sorrowful and deeply distressed. His soul was exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. So, he fell on his face, and prayed(Matthew 26:37-39; Mark 14:33-36). The high priest tore his clothes. They all condemned him to be worthy of death. Then some began to spit on him, and blindfolded him, they struck him on the face (Luke 22:63, 64). He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. Jesus wept (John 11:33,35). He suffered outside the gate (Hebrews 13:12). They crucified him (John 19:18) until he yielded up his spirit (Matthew 27:50), breathed his last (Luke 23:46) and "died" (Romans 5:6).

If Jesus were "God", then God was a racial God. The Bible describes Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Juda(Revelation 5:5). It means that he was a tribal Jew. He came for the Jews only (Matthew 15:24). And he practised racial discrimination. He commanded his disciples to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and told them not to go to the way of Gentiles and a city of the Samaritans (Matthew 10:5-6).

If "God" were a racial God, the God of Israel (also see Jeremiah 7:3), then Satan has dominion over Him. Would you believe, "there is no God in the entire earth, except in Israel" (2 Kings 5:15)? How come the Bible says, "Satan is the god of this evil world"(2 Corinthians 4:4)?

Examples of the Biblical Verses that Glorify Satan

Satan is the prince of the world. The living New Testament says that Satan is the prince of this world who shall be cast out (John 12:31). The Amplified version even describes Satan as "the ruler (evil generous, prince) of this world"(John 12:31).

Satan is the ruler of this world. He is the ruler of this world who is Judged. The King James says that the ruler of this world is coming (John 14:30). The Amplified version specifies that the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world who is coming is Satan (John 14:30,31). The same version of the Bible stresses that Satan is the ruler of this world (John 16:11). He is the ruler of this world who is judged (John 16:11) according to the other versions (i.e. King James, Living New Testaments, and the Revised Standard).

Satan is the god of this evil world. The Living New Testament even recognizes that Satan is the god of this evil world (2 Corinthians 4:4). The King James states that the god of this age has blinded those who do not believe (4 Corinthians 4:4).

Satan is imbued with all power. The King James writes: "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders"(2 Thessalonians 2:9).

The devil had the power of death. All the popular versions of the Bible, (i.e. King James, Amplified, Living New Testament and the Revised Standard) agree that the devil had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14).

The whole world is under the power of the evil one. The King James, Amplified and Revised Standard concur that the whole world is under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19). The Living New Testament says that all the rest of the world around us is under Satan's power and control (1 John 5:19).

With all the descriptions given contrary to God's divine attributes would you then say that the Bible is God's Word? Would you agree with the Bible when it says that Satan is the ruler and god of this world? Would you believe that the whole world is under the power of the evil one, Satan? Is Satan imbued with power, including the power of death? How true is it that God is kind to the devil(Luke 6:35)? Does the evil one deserves God's kindness when he is in fact, rebellious to God? Would you not question God's justice to punish the wicked, if God were kind to the devil? Does it not imply that people have to also show kindness to the evil one instead of fighting or resisting him? If all people will adhere to this verse, do you think there will be peace and order in the world ? Is it not that the evil does not only deceive mankind but also creates mischiefs to humanity?

Who is behind the Biblical verses that belittle God and glorify Satan on the other hand? Will you attribute them to God? To attribute them to God is a sheer blasphemy. The Qur'an, the Book of God in Truth (32:3), is free of discrepancy (4:82). It contains nothing but the truth and the best explanation thereof (25:33). It serves as a Light to Guide humanity to the straight Way (42:52). Its Author, Allah (the Arabic word for God), has allowed therein no crookedness (18:1).

THE QUR'AN GLORIFIES GOD, NOT SATAN (THE ACCURSED)

The Qur'an is the divine Revelation from Allah (Qur'an, 56:80). It is the only Book that is pure and Holy (Qur'an, 80:14). Allah, the Author Himself, says that it is the most honourable Book, which none shall touch but those who are clean (Qur'an, 56:77-79). It is the Only Book that is full of Holy Praises to Allah - Only One worthy of all praise (Qur'an, 31:26). The most beautiful names belong to Him. (Qur'an, 7:180). All the 114 chapters of the Qur'an (except Surah Al-Tawbah, the 9th chapter) start with: "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." This holy praises to Allah occurs twice within the text of Surah Al-Naml (Qur'an, 27:30), making a total of 114 occurrences. Upon reading the Qur'an, you will discover that it contains full praises to Allah. even the chapter Al-Tawbah, which does not carry the usual opening praises contains glorification's to God in most of its verses. It ends with the following glorious praises to Him: "There is no god but he; on Him is my trust - He is Lord of Throne (of Glory) Supreme!" (Qur'an, 9:129).

The Qur'an, being the Book, enlightens you of the godly attributes of Allah. It overwhelms you to know that Allah alone is the Lord of the Worlds (Qur'an, 26:192) - the present world and the world to come in the hereafter. He is the One Free of all wants, Worthy of all praise (Qur'an, 35:15). Allah is the Almighty - Exalted in Might (Qur'an, 64:18), the Most High (Qur'an, 4:34), Exalted in Power, the All-Knowing, All-Wise (Qur'an, 4:26). He is perfect in Knowledge and Wisdom (Qur'an, 2:32; 15:25). Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, Self-Subsisting, Eternal (Qur'an, 2:255). HE is Full of loving-kindness (Qur'an, 85:14). Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god - the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme; Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him (Qur'an, 59:23). To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and Allah has power over all things(Qur'an, 3:189). He is Allah, the One and Only (Qur'an, 112:1). They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of the three in a Trinity: for there is no God except One God (Qur'an, 5:73). Allah is our Lord and the Lord of Jesus Christ the son of Mary (Qur'an, 5:72), a servant of Allah to Israel (Qur'an, 43:59).

You have to believe that the Qur'an comes from Allah alone. Allah stresses that it is never brought down or inspired by Satan. No one could produce it, nor falsehood could approach it. He said "No evil ones have brought down this (Revelation): it would neither suit them nor would they be able (produce it)." (Qur'an, 26:210) "No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it. (Qur'an, 41:42) "Nor is it the word of an evil spirit accursed."(Qur'an, 81:25).

Allah enjoins every reader of the Qur'an to seek refuge from Him from the influence of Satan before reading it. This further proves that Satan, the Evil One, has no place in the Qur'an. Allah tells us: "When thou does read the Qur'an, Seek Allah's protection from Satan, the rejected one. No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. His authority is only over those who take him as their patron and who join partners with Allah."(16:98-100).

Allah enlightens us many times (e.g. 13:19; 20:2-4; 25:6; 26:192-195; 69:43-51) to believe that the Qur'an comes from Him alone. He guides us to seek His protection from Satan's influence (7:200). He makes us refrain from evil thoughts (7:201) and deeds (24:21). He makes it clear that Satan is our enemy. He says: "Verily Satan is an enemy to you; So treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherent, that they may become companions of the Blazing Fire"(35:6).

If you are for the Truth, then you have to believe that Allah is the Only True God and Lord of the Worlds. For your success, you have to read and follow the Qur'an. It is His comprehensive divine guidance to all of us, for us to attain felicity both in this world and in the Hereafter. If you agree that every Word of God is pure and true, you must believe that God is not the Author of the Bible. Never did He inspire the authors of the book that belittles Him and glorifies Satan. Who then inspired the authors of the Bible?